In part three of my interview with Ajit Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Quest Global, we get into the people side of building a billion-dollar business—and what it really takes to scale a leadership team.
Ajit doesn’t just look for credentials. He looks for character. In this blog, we explore the three traits he believes every great leader must have: aspiration, hunger, and humility. And just as important—what he does when those traits aren’t there.
It’s a refreshing take on leadership development—clear, direct, and built on real-world lessons from decades of growth.
Finding the right people to help you scale your business isn’t about job titles, résumés, or even experience. It’s about behavior.
In this part of our conversation, Ajit Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Quest Global, shared a simple but powerful lens he uses when evaluating leaders—one that’s helped him grow his company from two people to over 21,000 around the world.
“They need to dream big, get their hands dirty, and be willing to say ‘I was wrong.’”
What to Look for: Aspiration, Hunger, and Humility
Ajit’s not vague about what great leadership looks like. He boils it down to three traits:
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- Aspiration: People who think big, who don’t need to be motivated—they already are.
- Hunger: A bias for action. These are the people who roll up their sleeves and figure it out.
- Humility: The ability to admit mistakes and learn out loud, so the whole team gets better.
He’s not talking theory here. This is how Quest builds its leadership bench—and protects its culture.
When It’s Not Working
Even with this clarity, Ajit says the success rate is about one in three. Because you don’t really know who someone is until you’re in the trenches with them.
When someone isn’t a fit, Ajit doesn’t wait. He gives direct feedback fast and gives them a shot to improve. Some do. And when they do, he celebrates it.
“You stretch your hand when someone’s on their knees. You don’t kick them.”
It’s About Culture, Not Control
Ajit’s approach is firm but deeply human. He’s not afraid to make hard calls—but he also believes in giving people room to grow. It’s all in service of protecting a culture that rewards ownership, learning, and high standards.
That’s a rare combination. And it’s one every founder or CEO trying to scale should pay close attention to.
If you’re building a team to take you to the next level, ask yourself:
Do they dream big?
Will they get their hands dirty?
Can they say, “I got it wrong”?
If not—it might be time to stretch out a hand… or make a change.
Watch the full interview with Ajit below.
Challenge
Look at your current leadership team—or the one you’re building.
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- Who shows up with aspiration, hunger, and humility?
- Who might be missing one of those traits?
This week, have one honest conversation that either stretches a hand—or sets a new standard.
Resources
- From $60 to $1 Billion: Ajit Prabhu’s Purpose-Driven Journey
- Learning One Big Thing at a Time: How Ajit Prabhu Builds Enduring Companies
- Building a Team of A-Players
- Podcast Ep. 129 How to Identify A-Players During an Interview
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